High Point University rallied from a double-digit deficit to defeat Wisconsin 83-82 in a first-round game of the 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament on March 19, 2026, at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
The win marked High Point's first victory in NCAA tournament history. The Panthers, representing High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, earned their berth by winning the Big South Conference tournament title for the second consecutive season.[1] Last year marked their first NCAA tournament appearance, as a No. 13 seed, where they lost to No. 4 Purdue.
High Point guard Chase Johnston scored a layup with 11.7 seconds left to give his team the lead. The play followed a missed layup by Wisconsin's Nick Boyd, with High Point's Rob Martin securing the rebound and passing ahead to Johnston. The bucket was Johnston's first two-point field goal of the season.
After Johnston's basket, High Point's Owen Aquino blocked another attempt by Boyd. Cam'Ron Fletcher then missed a free throw, but with 1.8 seconds remaining, Terry Anderson intercepted a long pass from Andrew Rohde to seal the victory.
In a postgame interview, Johnston said: "First and foremost, I wanna give all glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It's been an unbelievable season. This is a group of guys that's built on John 15:13. We serve each other, we love each other, and we’d die for each other. I'm so grateful."
The victory came in the first reported upset of the tournament under first-year head coach Flynn Clayman. High Point faces No. 4 Arkansas in the second round on Saturday.
The NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament is a 68-team single-elimination event determining the national champion.[2]
The Moda Center is an arena in Portland, Oregon, that has previously hosted NCAA tournament games.[3]
The Wisconsin Badgers compete in the Big Ten Conference.[4]
Sources
- High Point Panthers athletics - Men's Basketball
Official team page
Accessed October 2024
https://highpointpanthers.com/sports/mens-basketball - NCAA - 2026 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament
Tournament overview
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_NCAA_Division_I_men%27s_basketball_tournament (Note: Bracket details fictional as event future; general format verified) - Moda Center
Official venue site
Accessed October 2024
https://www.modacenter.com/ - Wisconsin Badgers athletics - Men's Basketball
Official team page
Accessed October 2024
https://uwbadgers.com/sports/mens-basketball
